Doll and mouth set for same



July 4, 1933. 5 MARCUS 1,916,578

DOLL AND MOUTH SET FOR SAME Filed Oct; 21, 1952 f lNVENTOR Somu\ Marcus ATTORN EYS Y SAMUEL MARCUS,

behind the mouth opening. this form of construction are lllustrated in Patented July 4, 1933 NITED I STATES TION, or NEW Yon-K, N.',Y., A CORPORATION or NEW YORK "Donn AND non'rn SET ron SAME llpplication filed October 21, 1932." Seria1No.'638,884'.

I This invention relates to-dolls, particularly dolls having a tongue or/ and teeth set at the mouth openingthereof, and more especially to the tongue or/ and teethse't, which I may designate generally'as a mouth set, for such dolls. r p

In order to enhance the realism of more expensive and better grade ofdolls, it is customary to provide the dolls head with a mouth opening and to subsequently affix in;

back of the mouth opening-a mouth set which may comprise 'merelya simulated tongue and mouth cavity or'which may be further improved by the additionofsimulated teeth. he primary and general object of the present, invention is to improve such mouth sets both as regard-sthe tongue member and the teeth associated therewith, with a view to improving the appearance and realism of the doll.

The tongue elements have heretofore consisted of, a forwardly projecting tonguesimulating member disposed directly'in or Examples of my prior Patents 1,689,925, 1,74 &,129,and 1,758,164. While the mouth sets disclosed in said patents represent substantial improvements in the art and serve to greatly improve the appearance of a dolls head provided with the same, I have since-discovered that the attractiveness and realism of the doll may he even further enhanced by altering the shape of the mouth or/and tongue meinher. Specifically, the tongue members as heretofore constructed give the doll a fullmouthed appearance and emphasize the presence of the tongue in a somewhat unnatural manner. I have experimented with Various shapes, positions, and dimensions of such tongue members, andhave finally foundthat the most natural and attractive simulation of mouth and tongue isobtained by entirely omitting any particular'iiorwardly project ing tongue element located directly in or behind the mouth opening, and instead closing the mouth opening with a trough-like momher' of preferably V-shaped cross-sect1on,so that the tongue is represented only by the lower face of the trough, thus simulating the the teeth.

upper surface of the tongue lying in normal position within the mouth cavity, rather than projecting out ofor at the mouth opening in a: rather too conspicuous manner,

Further features of the present invention center about the teetlnwhich may optionally in association with the aforesaid mouth member, and corresponding objects of myinvention are to reduce the cost and increase the realism ofsuch teeth. 7 It has already been proposed to make the teeth out of sheet celluloid, thereby giving the same a permanent white color not subject to chipping or other difiiculties of paintedsheet metal teeth. However, relatively heavy gauge sheet celluloid must be used, and even then the teeth do not have the rounded relatively thick appearance of natural teeth. In accordance with a further feature and object of the present invention, a thin gauge celluloid is used whichis punched and stamped into a hollow'or'shell-like configuration, the resulting rearwardly extending flanges or edges serving to give the teeth a solid appearance which is both natural and-desirable, and

further servingto rigidity and strengthen the same time reduces the cost of the teeth.

Still another object of the present inven tion resides in the provision of means on the The use of thin sheet celluloid at PATENT OFFICE or BELLE HARBOR, NEW Yomnnssmnon TO Eamon column mouth set for gripping and supporting the teeth; the construction of such means in a manner making it possible to use the mouth set with either no teeth, or upper teeth alone, or lower teeth alone, or both upper and lower teeth,a single standard tongue being used for each'of these alternative forms; and the fur ther modification of the attaching means holding the tongue and teeth elements togather, whereby the parts are relativel yielda'ble or'selif-adjustable so that they wil accommodate themselves to the configuration of the interior of the head to which the mouth set is applied. Y

Totihe accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as will hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the'tongue or/and teeth elements and their relation one to'the other and to the dolls head in which they are mounted, as hereinafter are more,

particularly described in the specification and sought to be defined in the claims. The specification is accompanied by a drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a dolls head provided with a mouth set and embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken in the plane of the line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

-'F-ig. 3 is a front elevation ofa mouth setv having no teeth;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a mouth set provided with only upper teeth;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken in'the plane of the line 5-5 in Fig. 2;

' ularly to Figs. 1, 2, and 5 thereof, the'invention comprises a dolls head 12 which may be molded in the conventional manner and which therefore probably need notbe described in detail here. The head is provided with a mouthopening 14 behind which there is affixed a mouth set generally designated 16, said mouth set preferably serving to completely close the mouth opening 14.

e The mouth set 16 may or may notbe provided with teeth, a form without-teeth being shown in Fig. 3, and if provided with teeth either upper teeth may be used alone, as is illustrated. in Figs. 1, 2, and 4, or lower teeth may be used alone (not illustrated), or upper and lower teeth may be used, as is illustrated in Fig. 6. The most important single feature of'the present invention centers about the construction of the mouth set irrespective of the inclusion or omission of teeth, and this feature will first be described with particular reference to Fig. 3 of the drawing.

' Adverting to that figure, the mouth set 16 comprises a generally trough-like member 18 which is preferably V-shaped in cross-section and which extends in a generally horizontal direction, the closed side of the trough extending to the rear, and the open side of the trough facing the front of the dolls head, as is best shown in Fig. 2. The open side of the trough 18, as outlined for example by the edge I 20, is dimensioned to approximately fit the mouth opening 14 of the dolls head, thereby closing the mouth opening. This trough-like member 18 is, of course, colored red and simulates themouth cavity. No central and distinct tongue member such as has heretofore beenemployed is used, but instead the lower face 22 of the trough 18 simulates the upper surface of the tongue of the doll. This simplified arrangement gives the doll a far more realistic and natural appearance than the heretofore conventional arrangements in.

the mouth opening. By coloring the entire member red, it is not essential to position the mouth set precisely or critically in relation to the mouth opening. The convex shape of the-skirt 16 makes it possible for the rear edge of the trough 18 to be relatively straight while providing the forward or open face of V the trough with a maximum width at ,the center and diminishing width toward each side, conforming to the generally elliptical shapeof the mouth opening 14. This feature of the construction is .most clearly evident from an inspection of Fig. 5 of the drawing.

The mouth or tongue member 16 is preferably provided with means formed integrally therewith for mounting the same within the dolls head. In theparticular case here illustrated, the said means comprises a pair of sidewardly extending arms 26 each provided at its outer extremity with a tang or spur 28. It

The arms 26 may, if desired, be channeled, as indicated at 30, in order to strengthen and rigidify the same. These arms initially extend rearwardly as well as outwardly, in a manner best indicated in Fig. 8, but when the 1.:

mouth set is mounted in the head the arms are forced forwardly by a tool and are thereby embedded in the material of the -head, as' is best shown in Fig. 5. The angle of the tangs is preferably so adjusted, as will be evident from a comparison of Figs. 8 and 5, that upon bending of.v the arms forwardly the prongs are so embedded in the head that they converge forwardly or extend toward one another, thereby mutually locking themselves in the material. of the head, and forming a permanent anchorage or mounting for the mouth set in the head.

The tongue member 16 is preferably further provided with means adapted toreceive and hold teeth in proper relative position to the. mouth opening. various dolls differ, and accordingly the said means are so designed that the addition of teeth is entirely optional. Thus, referring to Fig. 3, the tongue member .is provided at its upper and lower edges with a generally T-shaped projection comprising, in effect, a lug 32 and sidewardly projecting fingers 34. In order to make the entire unit somewhat The requirements for flexible and adaptable to theidoll in which it is inserted, theskirt 22 is preferably cutaway or narrowed at the base of the lugs 32. In

this manner the lugs may be provided with a minimum waste of material, for they are largely formed'from the material of the skirt 22; also, the teeth-are supported relatively near the mouth opening. If no teeth are employed, as in the case ofthe unit shown in teeth .20 provided with an upwardly pro-.

jecting arm 42-. The manner in Whichthe thin celluloid materialis dished or hollowed to simulate the teeth may best be understood by reference to Fig. 7 in which it will be seen that the sheet material is flanged at its edges 44 and is indented at its center 46, thereby giving the teeth a. well-rounded andrelative- 1y thick or heavy appearance closely simulating that of natura lteeth. This form of construction is a great-improvement over the v use of flat stampings of celluloid even if thick celluloid is used, and at-thesame time economy results because of the use of thin celluloid. The arrangement isalso a ,great'improvement over any attempted stamping or shaping of metal which must be painted or lithographed white, because with celluloid the white color is permanent and indestructible and cannot be marred or scratched. Still another advantage of the use of thin celluloid, shaped as described, resides in the fact that the'upwardly' extending arm 42 may be left flat and therefore relatively flexible. This contrast of the shaping of the teeth 40 while leaving the arm 42 flat is evident from an inspection of Fig. 2.

To se'curethe teeth on the tongue member 16 it is simply necessary to place the arm 42 over the lug 32 and thereupon to bend the sidewardly extending fingers 34L forwardly and around the arm 42in a manner clearly evident from an inspection of Fig. 4 of the drawing A special tool or fixture may be provided for this purpose, thereby permitting the teeth to be addedto the tonguemember under rapid machine production conditions.

in Fig. 4 when mounting the same in-the dolls head. However, it is customary to usea somewhat smaller size of tooth when simulating lower teeth, and consequently a different size of tooth set may be used.

If the doll is to be provided with. both upper and lower teeth, the construction will take the form shown in Fig. -6 in which the fingersYZ-B l' of both the upper and lower sides .ofthe tongue member are'bent around and secure'sets of teeth, the lower set of teeth preferably being somewhat smaller than the upper set of teeth. Here again, although two teeth have been shown in each of the sets, 1t

is possible to vary the number of teeth and to relatively vary the number of teeth shown at the top and bottom of the mouth. In every case the mode of attachment of the mouth set ing of the teeth set when mounting theentire .unit in the'dolls head, the teeth being pressed against the inside of the mouth opening and being forced snugly into contact therewith,

and the entire mouth set accommodating it,

self as a whole to'the configuration of the interior of the head at the mouth opening.

It will be understood that in use the upper side of thechannel 18 is cast in shadow and practically invisible, while the lower side 22 of the-channel tends to reflect lightand simulates a tongue in normal position-in back of the lower teeth. It willtherefo to be appreciated that in one aspect the present invention centers about the provision of a tongue member having a relatively rounded forward edge and extending entirely across the width of the mouth and sloping upwardly and rearwardly, which tongue member instead of being located directly in or in back of the mouth opening, is located just below the mouth opening. In. effect there is no simulation of the end of a protruding tongue, but

rather merely a simulation of the upper surface of a tongue lying well down in the mouth although. this is desirable in order to blank off or c ose the mouth-:opening. The improvenlent in appearance resulting from thus relatively inconspic'uously locating the tongue in lowered and retracted positionis very remarkable and is rather difiicult to portray in a drawing.

It is believed that the mode of constructing and usingtlie mouth set of'my present invention, as well asthemany advantages thereof, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. It will 'also beapparent said element comprising a generally trough like member the open side of which is adapted to fit in back of the mouth opening, with the trough extending horizontally from one side i of the mouth opening to the other, and additional mounting means so designed as to support the same at the mouth opening with the open side of the trough facing the mouth opening.

2. An artificial. tongue or mouth element for a dolls head having a mouth opening, said element comprising a generally trough-like member of i -shaped cross-section arranged to extend from one side to the other directly in back of the mouth opening, and additional mounting means so designed to support the same at the mouth opening with the open side of the trough facingthe mouth opening.

8, the combination with a dolls head having a 'mouth opening, of an artificial tongue or mouth element comprising a generally trough-like member of V-shaped crosssection extending from one side to the other directly in back of the mouth opening and serving to close said mouth opening, and additional mounting means so designed as to support the same at the mouth opening with the open side of the trough facing the mouth opening, the lower surface of said member.

simulating the upper surface of a tongue Within the mouth.

at. An artificial tongue or mouth element for a dolls head, said mouth element comprising a unitary piece of sheet metal punched and pressed into a generally convex shape adapted to fit closely against the front interior wall of the head atthe mouth opening, the entire central portion of said plate being pressed rearwardly to form a trough central portion of said plate being pressed rearwardly to form a V-shaped trough extending from one side to the other of the plate, theforward or open side of said trough being dimensioned to approximately fit the mouth opening in'the dolls head, and said plate being further provided with arms hav ing tangs or spurs on the ends thereof for securing said mouth element to the wall of the head. i

6. An artificial'tongue or'mouthelement for a dolls head provided with a mouth opening, said mouth element comprising a unitary piece of sheet metal punched and pressed into a generally convex shape adapted to fit closely against the front interior wall of the head at the mouth opening,the entire lugs in order to permit bending or adjustment of said lugs.

7. An artificial tongueor mouth element for a dolls head provided with a mouthopening, said mouth element comprising a unitary piece of sheet metal punch ed'and pressed into a generally convex shape adapted to fit closely against the front interior wall of the head at the mouth opening, the entire central portion of said plate being pressed rearwardly to form a ll-shaped trough extending from one side to the other of the plate, the forward portion or open side of said trough being dimensioned to approximately fit the mouth opening in the dolls head, said plate being provided with means for securing the same within the head, and being further provided with means for securing artificial teeth thereto. r

8. The combination with a d'olls head having a mouth opening, of an artificial tongue or mouthelement comprising a unitary piece of sheet metal punched and pressed into a generally convex shape fitting closely against the front interior wall of the head at the mouth opening, the central portion of said plate being pressed rearwardly to form' a V-shaped trough extending from one side to the other of the plate, the forward or open side of said trough being dimensioned to approximately fit the mouth opening in the dolls head and serving to close said opening.

9. An artificial tongue or mouth element for a dolls head, said mouth element comprising a unitary piece of sheet metal punched and pressed mto a generally convex shape adapted to fit closely against the front in terior wall of the head at the mouth opening, the entire central portion of said plate being pressed rearwardly to form a trough extending from one side to the other of the plate, the forward or open side of said trough being dimensioned to approximately fit the month opening in the dolls head, a toothset consisting of celluloid shaped to simulate teeth,

ids

and means on said plate forv holdingsaid tooth set. I I

10. 'An' artificial tongue or mouth element for a dolls head, said mouth element comprising apiece of sheet metal adapted to fit closely against the front interior wall or" the head at the mouth opening, the entire central portion of said plate being pressed rearwardly to form a trough extend-' ing from one sideto the other of the plate, the forward or open side of said trough being dimensioned to approximately fit the mouth opening in the dolls head, a tooth set con sisting ofthin white celluloid punched and;

stamped into the form of a plurality of adjacent teeth and a supporting arm, the teeth being stamped into a hollow or shell-like configuration in order to give the same a natural rounded appearance with substantial depth or thickness, said plate being provided with upwardly and downwardly projecting lugs at least one of which has fingers bent around and gripping the tooth set. i

11. An artificial tongue or mouth element for a dolls head, said mouth element comprising a piece of sheet metal punched and pressed I the aforesaid arm of into a generally convex shape adapted to fit closely against the front interior wall of' ing arm of atooth set,each of said tooth sets consisting of thin white celluloid punched and I stamped into the form of a plurality of ad-' jacent teeth and the aforesaid'supporting arm, the teeth being stamped into a hollow or shell-like configuration in order to give the same a natural rounded appearance with substantial depth or thickness, and the arm being left fiat and'thereby making theteeth yieldable and self-adjustable.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 18th-day of Oct. A. D. 1932.

SAMUEL MARCUS, 

